The Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday the approval of more money for consultants to fight the relicensing of the Lake Oroville project.

As a taxpayer, I question the necessity for additional funds. The county has already spent in the neighborhood of $650,000 to try to get the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the California Department of Water Resources to change their minds on how the relicensing should include some money for the county. It is my understanding that both agencies feel Butte County is not entitled to compensation.

Butte County’s chief administrator and county counsel are opposing FERC, DWR and state water contractors. Taxpayers need to understand that any additional funds appropriated or allocated to this issue is a gamble that Butte County residents cannot afford.

Butte County will receive funds as the population of the area grows, and is not entitled to compensation just because of the relicensing of the Lake Oroville project. This attitude of “entitlements” is a product of bureaucratic governmental entities and programs. The private sector and taxation of residents will be sufficient to offset any impact the county may experience because of the relicensing.

As a Butte County taxpayer I would urge each member of the Board of Supervisors to vote no on any additional funding to fight the issue of relicensing.